Lock-joint for columns.



No. 727,862- PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

W. L. TAYLOR.

LOCK JOINT FOR COLUMNS.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn AN. 15, 1903.

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mmlllll r L I x H W1 T/VESSE INVENTOR N'ITED STATES Patented May'12, 1903.

WILLIAM L. TAYLOR, OF ELMIRA,.1.\:IEW- YORK.

LOCK-JOINT FOjRfCOLUMNS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 727,862, dated 12, 1903. Application filed ram, 15, 1903. $81 151 to. 139,128. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it, may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lock-Joints for ,Oolurnns; and I do declare the following to be a ful1,clear, and exact'description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to wooden columns, and has for its object to provide. a novel means of securing the sections together.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device for this purpose which is particularly simple in construction and easy in any position of operation.

With these objects in view my invention consists in the novel construction of my locking-piece in combination with the columnsections.

My invention also consists in certain other novel features of construction and in combination of parts, which will be first fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claims. 7 Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a column constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail plan of one of the column units or sections. Fig. i is a detail view of one of my locking pieces and wedges, and Fig. 5 shows a modification of Fig. 3.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which 1 indicates a column made up of units or sections 2, so beveled on their contiguous faces that they meet perfectly, form either a round, hexagonal, or octagonal colutnn, the number of sides or shape of the column having no bearing upon my'invention,

In my preferred construction I provide the units or sections 2 with inwardly-tapering grooves 3, preferably with rounded bottoms the entire length of said units or sections. In the modification, however, shown in Fig.

5 I provide a groove 3, having 'a' Wedgeshaped tongue in the center thereof, and on the opposite face of said unit or section I provide a tongue 5, provided with an inwardly-tapered slot or groove 6. i

In connection with my .preferred form (shown in Fig. 3) I employ a locking-piece 7, having rounded ends and provided thereat withiinwardly-tapering grooves or slots 8,

within which the wedges 9 enter.

.Having thus described the several parts of my invention, its operation is as follows: The wedges 9 are started in the locking-pieces '7, andthe same are inserted in the groove 3 in the units or sections 2. When in thisposi tion,the units or sections are pressed together, which forces the wedges 9 into the grooves 8 in the locking pieces 7, thereby expanding the ends of said locking-pieces to such a degree that they cannot be withdrawn,the effect of which is the formation of a perfect lock-j oint between the units or sections. In order to more increase the friction between the wedges and the locking-pieces, thesaid wedges may be serrated, so as to cause a biting contact between the same and thelocking-pieces, although it is not thought that this precaution will be necessary, as there is no tendency forthe wedges to become displaced, for the reason. that the greater the strain tending to separate the units or sections the tighter the wedges will be gripped by the'lockingpieces. Furthermore, the rounded bottoms of the grooves when coming in contact with the rounded edges of the locking :PIQOBS have a tendency to cause said rounded ends of the locking-pieces to press toward each other and exert the most pressure'at the rear of the wedge, whereby the we'dge is more firmly heldin the groove of the locking-piece. Were the corners of the locking-piece and the groove in the column unitflat at itsbottom, the pressure on the sides of the wedge would be uniform, whichwould allow it to be disengaged much easier. The same principle is carried out in my modification shown in Fig. 5, with a slight change in'construction, a tongue being formed on the units or sections and a wedge formed in the groove 3 to expand the said tongue Within the groove.

Having thus described my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself to the exact construction herein set forth, as various changes may be made therein which would fall within the limit and scope of my invention, and I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications. What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is- 1. In a lock-joint for columns the combination of the sections provided with inwardly extending tapering grooves having rounded bottoms in the contiguous faces thereof, locking-pieces having rounded corners provided with tapering groovesin the ends thereof, adapted to enter the grooves in said sections, Wedges adapted to enter said 15 grooves in said locking-pieces to expand the same within said grooves in said sections.

2. In a lock-joint for columns, the combination of the sections of a groove in each section, locking means to enter said groove, and means within said groove for expanding said locking means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

BRYAN MAYLAN, JAs. WYNNE. 

